The Talent Revolution – Are You Prepared?

June 11, 2013

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Terri Maxwell

The Talent Revolution – Are You Prepared?

We've said it before, but it’s worth repeating: There is a revolution happening that is creating a new way of work. The jobs “lost” during the recession are not coming back. Jobs are being fractionalized and virtualized.

So why this shift and why now? Work skills are changing faster than ever before just to stay in alignment with the rapidly shifting technology available today. Businesses are hard pressed to predict the types of skills they will need in six months. Rather than incurring expenses recruiting, hiring and training a full-time employee, many businesses find it more effective to hire freelancers. And, many of these freelancers work virtually.

The Talented Have Choices

Because technology has provided the ability for talented people to work whenever, where ever and however they like, there is now a new breed of worker, a new business model and a new job marketplace. The talented worker can demand more freedom, perform work that he or she is passionate about, and choose the companies they want to work for, rather than the other way around

The reality is that talent is in high demand, and now businesses can recruit on a global scale to find the best talent for the best price. Furthermore, the fractionalization of work creates an opportunity to outsource in a way that was never before possible.

Think of it this way:As a small business owner I need marketing help, but prefer to not hire a generalist. In the new world of work I can take the 40 hours I might have given to that person and give:

10 hours to a social media person

10 hours to a content person

10 hours to a researcher

10 hours to a communications expert

My business benefits because I’ve hired people highly skilled in those areas who are passionate about the work, rather than a jack-of-all-trades who may have some but not all the skills needed to perform a stellar job. My business benefits because I’ve got truly passionate talent, and my costs are minimized through a virtual freelancer model.

Maximize the Talent Revolution

There are shifts required in current thinking and business models to maximize the talent revolution. First, define your culture as being less about location and more about performance and goals. Set key performance indicators and ensure that they are being met by all contributors – virtual and on premise. Second, infuse the culture with a healthy dose of freedom. It’s not about where your team is at what time, but rather if the job is getting done and done well. Finally, reward performance with freedom so that the culture continues to move in a positive direction.

Freedom is a primary motivator for these virtualized workers, as well as gratifying work. Taking steps to ensure your organization can maximize this global pool will certainly provide a competitive advantage while also giving you better work products and higher performance. The revolution is here, so take steps to maximize your organization’s ability to take advantage of this new world of work!

For more tips on making the most of the new world of work, visit www.newworldofwork.com. Learn more about our new book, The New World of Work: From Cube to the Cloud.

Described as part Tony Robbins and part Wayne Dyer, Terri is a world class business growth expert, serial entrepreneur, and life transformation coach with a purpose to inspire potential. In a career that spans more than 25 years, she has launched, owned, sold, rebranded or turned around more than 40 brands. She has authored several books, and created game-changing models for business and personal success. Terri is the Founder and CEO of Succeed On Purpose Inc.

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